When I told her I had no money,
she stepped forward without hesitation and paid for the clothes herself.
The total was high—1,500.
Why would you pay for me…?
After that, she took my hand.
It was soft… warm… gentle—reassuring.
She smiled and said:
"Now we're going to the barbershop.
Your face looks like a child's messy sketch."
I laughed and replied,
"I won't let that comment slide."
We went to the barbershop.
She had my face cleaned up, and my long, messy hair trimmed and styled just enough.
I walked in looking awful—unkempt hair, tired face.
I walked out like a different person—
as if I had been reborn.
Even the barber stared at the result in surprise.
Later, Nino came back—and she was shocked too.
The mall was huge.
I was hungry, but I didn't want to burden her.
Nino said, smiling:
"Tai… you've become handsome.
Good choice with the haircut.
Now I'm hungry—let's go eat."
I replied,
"Sure. Why not?"
As we walked toward the restaurant, girls started staring at me.
Nino grew jealous and wrapped her arms around mine.
"Listen," she said, squeezing my arm.
"Look at them—and you'll regret it."
I immediately sensed danger—and chose survival.
I didn't look at anyone—
not even when they greeted me.
When we got close to the restaurant, we ran into Nino's friends.
The girl with glasses came first—
trouble always seemed to follow her.
I didn't look at them.
Nino pointed ahead and said:
"Look, the restaurant's there."
I raised my head—and froze.
"Look," I said,
"your friends are over there."
She replied, confused,
"That's true… but why did they go without me?"
"So… you don't want me?" I asked.
She kicked me lightly and said,
"In your dreams."
She didn't know those words would change something inside me later.
The girl with glasses stepped forward, the others trailing behind her like sheep.
She grabbed Nino and said mockingly:
"Who's this?
Are you cheating on Tai?
I don't blame you—you upgraded to someone handsome."
Nino and I laughed.
"This is Tai," Nino said.
"How can you not recognize him?"
The girl wiped her glasses, looked again, and said:
"No… that's not Tai."
Nino hit her on the head.
"That's because you never knew him."
The girl laughed.
"I'm kidding.
But seriously—he's really handsome now.
Can I borrow him for a bit?"
"In your dreams," Nino snapped.
I said calmly,
"We're heading to eat. Want to join us?"
Nino looked annoyed but stayed quiet.
The girl with glasses smiled.
"No—we won't ruin your lovely date."
A…Date?
Are we going to the hospital?
Then why wasn't I informed?
Nino's face turned bright red.
I placed my hand on her forehead.
"Are you okay?
Your face is hot."
The girl laughed.
"You're hopeless."
They left, and we were alone.
Nino walked quietly beside me.
I thought it was hunger.
Inside the restaurant, the stares returned.
We sat down. A waitress came.
I asked Nino,
"What would you like?"
She seemed distant—lost somewhere I couldn't reach.
I repeated the question until she answered:
"An omelet…
and orange and lemon juice."
Orange and lemon.
What a drink.
I ordered an omelet, a burger, and a soda.
While we waited, Nino spoke softly, her face red:
"Tai… what do you think of me?"
My mind, shamefully, was on food.
"You're… everything a man could want."
She fell silent.
I looked at her.
Blue eyes shimmering.
Red cheeks.
An innocent expression.
Then she understood—far too late.
She hid her face behind her bag.
I didn't really know why she was acting like this.
The food arrived.
I ate… but my thoughts stayed with her.
Was she okay?
After we finished, she paid the bill.
"Tomorrow," she said,
"we're going to the cinema.
We'll watch a movie."
I couldn't refuse.
"Of course," I said.
"I hope it's a good restaurant."
She froze—then burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked.
"Do you even know what a cinema is?"
I replied confidently:
"A place where you eat.
Or maybe… a clothes shop"
She laughed again.
I stopped trying to understand.
Her laughter felt strange… comforting. Like it fixed something I didn't know was broken.
She wiped her tears.
"It's a place where you watch movies."
"This is the first time I've heard of it," I said.
She smiled.
"Looks like you're about to experience something new."
"I don't mind."
She said goodbye and turned to leave.
I grabbed her hand.
"I'll walk you home.
It's not safe."
She hesitated.
I insisted.
She agreed.
The night was freezing.
I remembered that cursed night—
but this time, I didn't hate it.
After that night, I had changed.
I grew up too early.
Every step felt like walking on clouds.
The air grew colder.
She was shivering.
I gave her my coat.
She refused.
I forced it on her.
When I removed it, my bandages showed.
I quickly put on the shirt she bought me.
It was tight.
It clung to me, tighter than I expected.
We walked for a long time.
"My house is close," she said.
"You can go back."
"I won't leave you alone."
She insisted.
I finally turned back.
As I walked away…
I realized something.
I had nowhere to go—
and nowhere that felt like home.
Snow began to fall—
like autumn leaves drifting through the night.
(End of Chapter 17)